The invitation is your guest’s first impression of your party. The 3 types of party invitations that excite give guests a teasing taste of what’s to come.

Anticipation is half the fun. So pump up the anticipation level with your invitation!

Different types of party invitations excite by hinting at your party theme with their senses. This little introduction to the fun they’ll have on the Big Day will pique their interest and build anticipation.

#1: The gift invitation

A gift invitation is simply an object – a little present – with the invitation attached.

Choose a small gift that’s like a little mini-party itself such as this small box of balloons, blowers, and party confetti. Or go for the gold, and pick an item that hints at your party’s theme.

Here are some ideas for a gift invitation:

attach the invitation to a pool noodle for a pool party
write the invitation information on a beach ball, deflate, and mail for a beach party
write the information on an inflatable #1 finger, deflate, and mail for a sports party
put the invitation in a clear bottle with some sand and a “gold” coin for a pirate party
attach it to a little bottle of a bubbly beverage or champagne bubble bath for a new year’s invitation
attach it to a tiara for a princess party
put a sheriff’s badge on it for a cowboy party
attach it to a theme shaped cookie
attach it to the handle of a tea cup for a tea party
include a tea bag for a tea party
include a super hero eye mask for a super hero party
attach it to fairy wings for the girls to wear to the party
send a fortune teller finger game in an envelope that opens up with the party information
roll the invitation around a toy rolling pin for a baking party
attach it to a bag of legos, play dough or other toy that fits the party theme
attach it to a pool noodle with duct tape handle for a light sabre for a Star Wars party
put the information in a homemade fortune cookie
print a candy bar wrapper for a large chocolate bar with the party information, and wrap it on

You get the idea. Just think of an item that represents the theme of your party and attach it (or a toy, ornament, cookie, or candy version of it) to the invitation.

gift invitation idea

The Surprise Ball

This is a fun gift invitation. A surprise ball is several tiny gifts wrapped in a ball of crepe paper that when unrolled has the party details at the end.

HOW TO MAKE A SURPRISE BALL

#2: Costume Invitations

woman wearing cat ear headband costume invitation

The most interesting party invitation includes something the guest should wear to the party with the party information. That certainly builds excitement!

You can give each guest the same item or a different item. It doesn’t have to be the whole costume; it can be just a little something that starts them off, and they have to use their imagination to complete the ensemble.

There are headbands, hats, noses, glasses – all the way to full costumes. This excites because it teases the party theme & makes the guest anticipate wearing the item.

#3: Invitations that Appeal to the Senses

Take your party invitations to the next level and appeal to more senses than just sight.

Taste

Send a lollipop, candy or cookie with a flavor that relates to your party theme.

Scent

It’s as easy as spraying the inside of the envelope with a specific scent – and you can use it again at the door as guests arrive to link the two.

There’s pine scent for Christmas invitations, sea breeze for a beach party, cookie dough for a baking party, baby powder scent for a baby shower, and so on.

Sound

You’ve seen the cards that play music in the card shops, but did you know you can record your own? There are blank Sound Modules for Greeting Cards* so you can record your own music or message.

Choose a sound that matches your party theme. Send an ocean sound for a beach party, seagulls squawking for a pirate party, horns playing a royal proclamation for a princess party, bells or Christmas carol for a holiday gathering, etc.

Information to Include in Your Party Invitation

Of course, there still has to be an invitation card with the gift that gives all the pertinent information. When you’re creating your own invitation, it’s easy to get so excited that you can forget to give a piece of important information.

Here’s a party invitation checklist:

Name of the host and/or honoree – the birthday girl or birthday boy.
Date of party including Day, Month and Time.
Address of party venue – include a map and phone number for the venue if people haven’t been there before.
Reason for the party – birthday, anniversary, baby shower, milestone or playday
Party theme if you have chosen one.
RSVP – give them the name and phone number for them to call to confirm or decline the invitation, along with a “reply by” date that is a week before the party to give you enough time to chase them down if necessary.
“Best wishes only” notice if you don’t expect them to come bearing gifts.
Requests:
- specify if you want them to wear a costume
- bring something in particular for the party
- if its a suprise party
- special terms or events happening at the party
- special equipment needed such as a swim suit for a pool party

Make more than the party-goers happy:

Request that guests bring canned goods for the local food bank, or a donation for a charity that is connected to your party theme – such as a donation to Cookies for Kids Cancer for a baking party, or diapers and baby formula for the food bank at a baby shower. The Dinner Table charity to help people in grief is great for a dinner party.

If collecting money, make it a competition between the gals & guys to see who donates the most!

3 Types of Party Invitations that Excite & Build Anticipation